I love Howie. I started listening to him probably 5 or 6 years ago after I heard “Literally, you’re a great American, bold colors, not pale pastels” one too many times.
I remember when Howie was one of the “Three Governors”, (Dukasis’ characterization of Jerry Williams, Howie and Barbara Anderson, when Jerry had Barbra and Howie as guests on his radio show. The threesome adopted the name, with relish.) Howie didn’t have his own show at the time, but he (and Barbara) were the highlight of Jerry’s show. This started before Dukasis was the “next President of the United States”, so it must have been the late 1980’s.
The owner of the station sent out bingo cards in the mail, asking about listener preferences on WRKO and WHDH. I wrote in Howie in the comment block on both cards, saying they should give him his own show and mailed them back. They listened to me, because Howie soon replaced Jerry, much to Jerry’s consternation.